Red Sox’ David Ortiz looks like a lock for ninth All-Star selection

Fan voting for the All-Star Game ends Thursday at 11:59 p.m. It seems safe to say that the Red Sox’ David Ortiz will be the designated hitter for the American League.

Ortiz has received 4,398,197 votes and is well ahead of Lance Berkman. who has 2,004,388. It would be the ninth All-Star selection for Ortiz and seventh time voted in as a starter.

Ortiz ranks fourth in the majors with 57 RBIs since his season debut on April 20. He is hitting .317 with a 1.008 OPS.

Dustin Pedroia is second at second base. He has 2,838,129 votes, well behind Robinson Cano of the Yankees (3,974,322). Pedroia (.322/.401/.443) is having a very comparable season to Cano (.287/.364/.502.).